AURORA, Ill. (December 28, 2021) - The third period was the deciding factor in this game, as UW-Stout pulled ahead to defeat the Aurora University Spartans, 89-74, Tuesday at Thornton Gymnasium.

Taking a long road trip right after the Holiday weekend would be hard on any team, but the Blue Devils (6-5, 1-1) stayed alert and strong, defeating the Spartans (3-6, 2-2) with a score of 89-74. Stout pulled ahead by a bit in the first quarter, outscoring Aurora, 25-17. The Spartans used a low scoring second-quarter to chip away at that lead. The Spartans managed to get it within five, heading into halftime down 40-35.

Stout came out of halftime and played a strong third-quarter. In the final 5 minutes of the third, the Blue Devils went on a 15-4 run, extending their lead to 16 (64-48). Stout outscored the Spartans 25-13 throughout the whole third-quarter.

The Spartans continued to fight throughout the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to overcome the huge Stout lead.

Freshman Raegan Sorensen finished with a career-high 36 points. This scoring outing was only three points shy of Stout's single-game scoring record set in 1994 by Cindy Hovet. Hovet scored 39 points against UW-Platteville. Sorensen also finished with 11 rebounds, six of which were offensive rebounds. Stout out-rebounded the Spartans 43 to 37. Sorensen did break the school record for most free throws attempted with 18 and was one made free throw shy of tying the school record for free throws made with 13. Andrea Bresette dropped in 14 free throws when she scored 38 points in a win over UW-Superior in 2000. 

As a team, Stout  shot 49.2-percent from the field (32 for 65) but had an off night from deep going one for 10. Aurora finished with a 40.3-percent field goal percentage (27 for 67) and an 18.2-percent from deep (4 for 22). Stout's bench outscored the Spartan's bench 51-21, which can heavily be contributed to Sorensen who came off the bench for the Blue Devils in today's game.

Along with Sorensen, Amanda Giesen and Alison Murdoch both finished with double digit points, Giesen with 13 points and eight rebounds and Murdoch with 10 points in only 12 minutes of action. Sam Schaeffer and Anna Mutch both continue to showcase their passing skills with each dishing off four assists. Schaeffer also recorded three steals.

The Blue Devils will not continue their Illinois road trip as originally planned. The game against Rockford University has been canceled and will not be made up. Stout will return to play on New Year's Day, making up a game against Gustavus Adolphus. The game is scheduled to tip off at 3 p.m.as part of a doubleheader with the Gustavus men's program in St Peter, Minn.